Connect with us

Lea DeLaria’s Battle with Diabetes

Lea DeLaria of ‘Orange is the New Black’ was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Because of her age and this condition, she lost a lot of weight very quickly, which made filming difficult. It was a difficult and confusing time for her because she wasn’t sure how she was going to live when major life changes were required. Lea resolved to love her body and herself, in spite of the stigma toward people with diabetes. It’s a stereotype that diabetic people could have avoided the condition with better eating. This is not the case for Lea; her mother had diabetes, so she was unfortunately nearly guaranteed to have it. With a good diet, treatment, and dedication, however, she was able to take herself out of danger. Because her condition is chronic, it will never completely go away, but for the moment, her diabetes have been effectively cured.

Her promise to others who have been newly diagnosed with the condition is that as long as they love themselves and take care of themselves, then they will get better, and they will be able to eat the things that they enjoy again (in moderation, of course).

Connect